Coast man arrested over stabbing at elite private school

Police have released this image of a man they want to talk to.Source:Supplied

A SUNSHINE Coast man wanted in relation to the stabbing of a security guard at an elite Brisbane girls' school has been arrested.

Khia Gribben, 25, from Landsborough was arrested this afternoon after guard Darren Strigning was repeatedly stabbed at Somerville House in the early hours of yesterday.

Mr Stribning is recovering in hospital today after successful surgery following the attack.

EARLIER: POLICE have released the identity of a man they want to talk to after a security guard was repeatedly stabbed at an elite Brisbane school this morning.

Guard Darren Stribning, 51, was stabbed five times in the abdomen and arm during the attack at Somerville House, at South Brisbane, which happened about 5.30am.

He was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police want to talk to Khia Gribben, 25, who was seen boarding a train at South Brisbane for Albion, in Brisbane's north, shortly after the attack. At Albion, police said he got into a taxi.

Gribben was last seen at a bus stop outside Lutwyche City shopping centre on Gympie Road just after 6am.

Police said he is known to officers.

"It is concerning that (the attacker) is still at large," Detective Inspector Tony Geary said this afternoon.

"But we are confident, very confident, that we will find him."

Police are yet to find the weapon used to attack the security guard.

The guard has knife wounds to his lower and upper abdomen and his sides, the ambulance service said.

lice said he was also stabbed in the arms and while his injuries are significant, they are not life threatening.

It is understood Mr Stribning has since undergone surgery and is recovering in hospital.

"Great news all. Darren is out of recovery and doing well. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and good wishes," his wife Paula said.

Detectives were today scouring the grounds of the exclusive school and appeared focused on a balcony on an upper level of one building. Multiple police units were also searching surrounding streets for the attacker, who fled on foot.

Detective Inspector Tony Geary said investigations were continuing and the man could have jumped on a train to flee the area.

It is understood he's still likely to be armed and will be covered in blood from the attack.

Police say the public should not approach the man.

Police remained on scene at the exclusive school at noon, as investigators review CCTV footage in a bid to identify the offender.

Somerville House communications director Sarah Dreaver said the school had an extensive surveillance system comprised of "hundreds of cameras".

"Hopefully that's going to provide (police) with some assistance in terms of tracking down the offender," she said.

Ms Dreaver said the school was kept open on the advice of police but parents had been kept informed since 7am and students were being offered support.

"We consider it to be a really unfortunate, random incident."

The guard has been taken to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra hospital in a stable condition, the ambulance service says.

"He was stabbed on the grounds of the school. It looks like he's disturbed an intruder. He was stabbed multiple times," a police spokeswoman said.

"The offender fled. Multiple police units are hunting for him."

Initial reports suggest the guard was nearing the end of his shift when he noticed someone trying to break into the school's performing arts complex. The intruder rushed at him and started stabbing when he was challenged.

Ms Dreaver said the guard was a much-loved man.

"The school's rallying behind him and his family as we do in the Somerville way," she said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the security guard and his family at this time."

Somerville House was established in 1899 and is a day and boarding school for girls from Prep to Year 12. It's also a co-educational school for pre-prep girls and boys.